Hopper discharge outlet for railway cars



- G. B. Dom-:Y

HoPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET-Foa RAILWAY cA'Rs 3 sheetssneet 1 July 21, 1953 Filed April 9, 1949 f//s ATTORNEY July 21, 1953 G. B. DoREY 2,646,007

HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed April 9, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /f/// /6 ,4 /NVENTQR GEORGE B. DQREY BY ///5 AT7'0KNEY July 21, 19.53J G. B. DOREY 2,646,007

HOPPER DQISCHARGE OUTLET FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed April 9. 1949 s sheets-seet 5 /f/G /z A l f/.

Patented July 21,i 1953 HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET FOR RAILWAY CARSy George B. Dorey, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Enterprise Railway Equipment Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Y Application April 9, 1949, Serial No. 86,573

3 Claims.

.My invention relates, generally, to an improved hopperdischarge outlet assembly for application to railway cars and the like and constitutes an improvement over the construction disclosed in copending application Serial No. 67,215, iiled December 24, 1948. It relates particularly to that type of structure disclosed in United States vpatent to Argygle Campbell, No. 2,072,292 of March 2, 1937. This patent shows a sliding gate mounted in a frame having a slotted end through which the gate extends and wherein the lower face of the slot is spaced lengthwise from the upper face thereof in such a manner that there is an overhanging projecting portion of the gate lying beyond the slot. A tendency to leakage occurs at this location.

1t is a particular object of my invention to overcome the limitations inherent in this type of outlet construction and to provide a structure wherein supporting members for a sliding gate are disposed to provide uninterrupted support for the sides of the gate throughthe entire length thereof and outwardly beyond the slotted end.

Another object of my invention is to provide an outlet assembly wherein the side supporting runways for the gate [are formed of separate membersl and the machining and assembling of the structure are facilitated.

A further object of my invention is to simplify the manufacture of vthe framecasting whereby massive and cumbersome cores are eliminated and the frame casting readily manufactured by machine molding.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved frame suitable for use with cooperating sealing gaskets at the sides and end of the runways.

My invention further resides in the retaining and sealing means for the gate and in certain other details of construction as will be pointed out.

For further comprehension of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. A1 is a top plan view of my improved outlet assembly;

Fig. 2 is a vertical side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. `1; y

Fig. 3 'is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on a line corresponding substantially to a line 3-3 of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the pair of side rail members;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal elevational view of the rail shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the extension shaft bearing members;

Fig. '7 is a vertical elevational view of the member shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through the latching member as viewed on a line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fractional sectional view taken through the gate and the adjacent runway showing one of the side gaskets in relation to the edge of the runway on which the gate is mounted; v

Fig. l0 is a longitudinal side elevational view of the outlet casting; l

Fig. 1l is a plan view` of the outlet casting;

. Fig. 12 is a vertical end elevational view of thv: outlet casting;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the sides of the outlet casting as taken on a line l3-|3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken through the inner end wall of the outlet as taken on a line lil-I4 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken through the outer end walls of the frame as seen on a Referring now to the drawings wherein an outlet assembly embodying my improvements is shown as including a frame casting A, a sliding gate B, angular side runways C-C on which the gate B is mounted for sliding movement, an operating shaft D having a toothed pinion E fixedly associated therewith, shaft bearing members F, a locking cam G, a locking bolt I-I, and a chutelike portion K.

The frame A includes an upper four-sided hopper portion having sloping side walls l-l and sloping end walls indicated at I! and l2 respectively which are arranged to be fastened by suitable means to a loa-d containing hopper. The upper portion is for the purpose of overlying and connecting with the walls of the bin or load containing hpper (not shown) with which the frame A is associated.

This frame A, which is usually formed of a steel casting, is provided with a slotted end i3, Figs. 10 and 15, through which the gate B is slidable and the casting is extended below the gate B to provide a chute-like portion K including vertical side walls lll-Ill, an end wall I5 and a cross wall I6, the latter having a substantially horizontal lwall Il formed adjacent the upper margin thereof. It will be noted that the wall ll, in combination with the lower edge I8 of upper end wall l2, defines the slot I3 through which the gate B extends and is movable from and to the closed position. The end wall I5 and cross wall I6 slope downwardly to converge towards the discharge outlet and define an area with the side walls I--M somewhat smaller than the `area in the plane of the sliding gate B.

The side supporting runways C on which the gate B is arranged to have longitudinal sliding movement'are formed of angle shaped members including a substantially horizontally disposed flange I9 and a depending flange 29, the latter lying flatwise along the inner surface 2i, Fg..3, of the vertically depending side walls iii-Id of the chute and secured thereto by rivets 22.

The inner end of the frame A is formed with a horizontal wall portion 23, Figs. 2 and 14,' disposed in alignment with the upper surfaces I9 of the side runways C for the purpose of supporting the inner edge of the gate B when it is in closed position.

The side runways C extend from the end supporting wall 23 to the outer edge of the frame A and above and beyond the cross walls IS and I'i.

vThe depending flanges 2G of the runways C are coped out as indicated at 24, Fig. 5, in order to straddle the cross walls IB and Il' and the operating shaft D and in this manner an uninterrupted supporting surface underlies lthe gate B throughout its entire length. The ends of the upper flanges i9 are welded to the end wall 23 as in- ,i

dicated at 25, Fig. 2, thus providing for a continuous supporting surface around the sides and inner end of the frame A.

The gate B is restrained against upward movement by means of laterally extending lugs 25 which project from the side walls Iii-I4 above the gate B and are of the conventional type now in extensive use.

The sliding gate B is a flat plate of appreciable depth resting upon the side and end runways when in closed position and adjacent three of its edges it is provided with a depending end wall 21, Fig. 2, and depending side walls 28-28, Fig. 9, for receiving a resilient end gasket 29 and side gaskets 3S-3U respectively. Preferably the gaskets 29 and 33 are formed of rubber hose. The side walls 23e-2B and associated gaskets Bil-33 are in slightly divergent relation to provide a wedge-shaped opening adapted to register with a similarly wedge-shaped formation on the frame A as provided by edge portions 3| of the respective runways C. t will be understood that the edge portions 3l are disposed at an angle corresponding to the wedge-shaped formation provided by side walls 28-29 of the gate B. The provision i of a comparatively narrow edge portion 3| on the runways C disposed to engage the resilient tubular-shaped gaskets 3i? at their widest location is conducive to efficient sealing. It will be noted by particular reference to Fig. 9 that the location of the narrow edge portion 3i of the runway C midway of the associated tubular gasket 38 results in deformation thereofto assume a concave shape straddling the edge 3 l.

The underside of the gate Bis formed with rack teeth 32, and cooperable therewith for moving the gate is the toothed pinion E. Each alternate rack tooth 32 is extended transversely of the gate as indicated at 33 at each side of and beyond Ythe pinion E to provide reinforcement for the gate B. The shaft D, which carries the pinion E, may be rotated by any suitable handle means (not shown).

The shaft D is journaled at each side of the frame A in a bearing member F, Fig. '7. Above i the shaft D the side walls I4 of the frame A are indented at 31%, Fig. 2, in order to straddle the operating shaft D and avoid the necessity of coring the outlet frame casting A to provide bearings for the shaft.

The shaft bearings F are formed with a base portion 35, Fig. 6, riveted or otherwise secured to the outside of the frame A on each side of the shaft D and are formed with forwardly projecting extensions 35 which extend beyond the frame A as shown in Fig. l. Cooperable with the said extensions 35' and united therewith are runway extensions 36 for supporting the gate B in its opened position.

The upper outer end of the outlet casting A is provided with a downwardly extending inclined wall 3l, Fig. 15, which in cooperation with the upper end wall I2 of the frame A forms an inverted V-shaped cope lying above the outer end of the gate B when the latter is in closed position. This V-shaped cope operates as a shield for the projecting portion of the gate B which normally lies beyond the slot I3.'

Projecting outwardly beyond the cope shaped upper end of the Yframe A are forwardly projecting extensions 38, Fig. 10, of the vertical walls I-Ili, said extensions being braced relatively to the said walls by lateral gussets 39. Located between the extensions 38 and pivotally connected therewith by means of pivots 49 is the locking cam G, Fig. l. The locking cam G is provided with a pair of arms lI-ffil having an intermediate arcuate-shaped body portion G2, Fig. 8, and an angularly related bracing wall 43 extending therebetween. The body portion d2 presents a convex outer surface 114 arranged to register with seating surfaces d5, Fig. 2, formed on the gate B for retaining it in the fully closed position.

`One of the arms 4I is provided with a keyshaped aperture 46 adapted, when the cam G is in latched position, to register with an aligned similarly shaped aperture 41 formed in the adjacent extension 38 of the vframe A so that the locking bolt H may be inserted through the respective aligned apertures. The looking bolt H is preferably of T-shape and is mounted adjacent one of the arms il to have limited rotary movement and modily sliding movement. Bearings iS-58, Figs. 1 and 8, which are preferably welded to the inner concave surface 69, at 49 of the body portion G2, support the locking pin H. This locking mechanism is claimed in c-opending application Serial No. 310,201, filed September 18, 1952.

-Each end of the cam G is provided with a laterally projecting trunnion portion 5!) and cooperable therewith to support'the cam G in an overbalanced released position is an upwardly projecting extension 5I, Fig. formed on each shaft bearing member F. A

Adjacent the lower margin of the chute walls ILI-IE-IB defining the discharge outlet, the frame A is provided on the four sides with outwardly laterally projecting means to receive a removable extension Hchute (not shown)` as indicated at `52, 53, 54, and 55 respectively, Fig. 2. The laterally projecting'means on two adjacent sides as indicated by members 52 and 53 are in the form of oustanding fiat ledges and on the other two adjacent opposite sidesv the members 5 and 55 are bent to form grooves as shown vat 5B and 5l, Fig. 3. These grooves 56, ard are thus adapted to receivethe two sides of the removable chute frame and the flat ledge portions 52 and 53 on the opposite two sides constitute abutments against which the' top of the removable chute i frame is adapted to bear and be clamped or bolted thereto.

l The members 52 and 5d are of angle shape an each has a vertically disposed flange 58 overlying the inner face of the adjacent wall le with their adjacent horizontally disposed flanges extending outwardly beneath the respective wall lll. The end members 53 and 55 are disposed outwardly of the walls of the chute-like portion K, member 53 having a flange 59, Fig. 2, overlying the inner end wall l5 and member 55 having a lange 60 overlying the cross wall I6.

My improved structure enables the molding of the main outlet frame castingA without using large cores and renders all parts accessible for cleaning and machining. The employment of lseparate members C for the runways and the pothe other flange forming the runway, said runways being extended across the upper edge of the sitioning of the same across the cross wall i6 of the chute-like portion K to extend beyond the slot i3 beneath the overhanging portion of the gate B insures continuous and even bearing surfaces for it throughout the entire length thereof.

A further advantage which is broughtabout by the employment of separate members C for the runways resides in the attainment of smooth and uniform bearing surfaces for supporting the gate B and for engaging with the side gaskets 30.

With my improved construction the conventional type of four-sided rectangular shaped chute K with parallel side walls is retained even though the actual opening at the level of the gate B is wedge-shaped. It will therefore be appreciated that my construction, making use as it does of laterally extending ledges'z Aand 53, allows for shaping the discharge opening closed by the gate B independently of theshape of the chute.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a discharge outlet assembly for a load containing hopper, said assembly including a four-sided'frame having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, said frame having a hopper section above the frame for uniting with the load containing hopper, and a four-sided chute structure with walls extending below said gate, said frame at one end having a slot for the accommodation of the gate therethrough and having at the opposite end a ledge for supporting one end of said gate when it is closed, said gate when in closed position projecting through said slot to present an overhanging portion lying beyond said chute and beneath the upper wall of said slot; thevimprovement which comprises vertical side walls for said chute extending lengthwise in the general direction of movement of the gate and lying adjacent the y sides thereof, and ledges separate and distinct from said frame and extending inwardly from said walls to form runways for supporting the gate, said runways being in the form of angle shaped members having one ilange overlying said upright walls and secured thereto and having lower wall of said slot to underlie the overhanging portion of said gate, said overlying flanges of said runways being coped to straddle said lower wall of said slot.

2. In an outlet assembly for a load containing hopper including a four-sided frame having a discharge opening and a sliding gate for closing the opening, said frame having a slot at one end thereof for the passage of said gate therethrough, runways at eachside of said frame to underlie and support said gate, said runways being divergently related to present a wedge shaped opening with its greatest width adjacent said slotted end of said iframe, and resilient gaskets of circular tubular formation carried by said gate and mounted in divergent relation to provide an exterior wedge shaped formation corresponding substantially in shape and of slightly larger size than the wedge shaped opening of the frame: the improvement which comprises runways in the form of ledges having relatively narrow edges for impinging on said tubular shaped gaskets centrally thereof upon movement of said gate to closed position.

3. ln an outlet assembly for a load containing hopper, in combination, a four-sided frame having an opening and a gate mounted for sliding movement in said frame to close said opening,

said frame having a slot at one end for the passage of said gate therethrough, said frame including vertically disposed side walls extending in the direction of movement of said gate atA the respective sides thereof and also downwardly below said gate, angle-shaped runways separate and distinct from said frame with one ange secured to said side walls below said gate and the otherange extending inwardly therefrom to support said gate, the inner edges of said other flanges being divergently related to present a wedge shaped opening with its greatest width adjacent said slotted end of said frame, and resilient gasket means carried by said gate on the underside thereof and disposed in wedge shaped formation corresponding to that denned by said inner edges for engaging the same when said gate is closed.

GEORGE B. DOREY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dorey Feb. 1, 1944 

